Story County Iowa Property Search & 2026 Tax Guide
Search Story County Property Records, 2026 Assessments, Beacon GIS & Taxes
Story County’s public property system combines Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer and GIS information through Beacon. A parcel search can lead to assessment values, ownership, property record information, aerial photography, maps, sales history, sketches and tax statements.
There is one local rule every searcher should know: the Story County Assessor does not assess property inside the City of Ames. Ames has its own City Assessor. Beacon still provides countywide parcel and tax-record access, but assessment questions, exemptions and protests must be directed to the correct assessing jurisdiction.
Beacon parcel, owner, address & tax-history research
Story County vs. Ames Assessor routing
2026 assessment, homestead & appeal guidance
Sept. 30 tax deadline, deeds, GIS & credits
PARCEL → ASSESSED VALUE → ROLLBACK → TAXABLE VALUE
STORY COUNTY BEACON
Parcel
VERIFY
Assessment
2026
Tax History
OPEN
Tax Statement
PDF
GIS / Aerial
MAP
COUNTY + CITY OF AMES PARCEL RESEARCH
County Assessor
Wayne Schwickerath
Treasurer
Ted Rasmusson
Recorder
Stacie Herridge
Last reviewed
August 12, 2026
Current August 2026 action points
2026 Assessment Appeals Are Closed — September Tax Payment Is Next
Assessment side: Story County’s regular 2026 informal review period ended April 25 and the formal Board of Review protest period ended April 30.
Tax side: the next regular real-estate tax payment deadline is September 30, 2026. The second half is due March 31, 2027.
Still actionable: qualifying agricultural property owners can file a new Family Farm Credit claim through November 1. Story County lists the regular filing period as July 1 through November 1.
Do not mix assessment years with payment years. Iowa’s tax cycle takes roughly 18 months. The 2026 assessment generally affects taxes paid in September 2027 and March 2028—not the installment due September 30, 2026.
Important jurisdiction check
Is the Property in Ames? Use the City Assessor for Assessment Questions
Outside the City of Ames
Story County Assessor
Wayne Schwickerath
900 Sixth St.
Nevada, IA 50201
515-382-7320
Inside the City of Ames
Ames City Assessor
Shari Plagge
Ames City Hall
515 Clark Ave.
Ames, IA 50010
515-239-5370
Beacon can still be your starting point. Story County’s Auditor and Treasurer direct taxpayers to the Beacon – Story County / City of Ames system for property and tax-statement research. The distinction matters when you need an assessment correction, exemption application or appeal.
Open the Official Ames City Assessor
Use this office for assessment questions involving parcels within Ames city limits.
Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer or Recorder?
Assessor
- Assessed value
- Property record cards
- Sales analysis
- Building sketches
- Homestead / military
- Assessment protests
Auditor
- Current tax ownership
- Transfer books
- Plat / tax maps
- Tax levies
- Family Farm Credit
- Property record routing
Treasurer
- Tax statements
- Tax payments
- Receipts
- Delinquent taxes
- Tax sale
- Payment plans
Recorder
- Deeds
- Mortgages
- Liens
- Land surveys
- Subdivision plats
- Historical indexes
Beacon is the main countywide lookup
How to Search Story County Property Records
Search the parcel.
Use the available property, owner, address or parcel-related search controls.
Open the correct result.
Match the owner, site address and parcel identifier before relying on valuation or tax data.
Review property record information.
Story County makes property record card data, valuations by parcel, photographs, sketches, sales and aerial/GIS information available through its assessment resources.
Scroll to Tax History when you need the tax statement.
Story County says the current and prior Tax Statement/Receipt links are available in Beacon’s Tax History section.
Copy the receipt number before online payment.
The Treasurer says the receipt number from the current tax statement is needed for the one-time electronic payment workflow.
Confirm the assessing jurisdiction.
If the parcel lies inside Ames, use the Ames City Assessor for valuation or exemption questions.
What Story County Property Records Can Tell You
| Record |
What it helps answer |
Where to go next |
| Current Owner |
Who is carried in current county taxation records. |
Recorder deed for legal title. |
| Parcel Number |
Unique parcel reference across county property systems. |
Save before tax or deed search. |
| Assessed Value |
Assessor’s value as of January 1 of the assessment year. |
Apply rollback/assessment limitation to reach taxable value. |
| Property Record Card |
Assessment characteristics and parcel-specific appraisal data. |
Check physical facts if value seems wrong. |
| Sketch / Plot Plan |
Assessor’s representation of structures and parcel information. |
Compare with actual property or survey. |
| Sales Data |
Market evidence used to understand values and comparable sales. |
Verify deed details with Recorder. |
| Aerial / GIS |
Parcel location, map context and aerial photography. |
Use survey for exact boundaries. |
| Tax History |
Tax statements, payment-year records and receipt number. |
Treasurer payment portal. |
Iowa assessment date: January 1
How Story County Assessed Value Becomes Taxable Value
Iowa generally assesses nonagricultural real property at 100% of market value. Agricultural real estate is valued according to productivity and net earning capacity. The Assessor establishes assessed value, but the Assessor does not set the tax rate or collect the tax.
1. Assessed Value
The assessor establishes the January 1 value according to Iowa law and the property’s classification.
2. Assessment Limitation / Rollback
Iowa’s statewide assessment-limitation percentage is applied to applicable property classes to arrive at taxable value.
3. Levy Rate
The County Auditor applies certified local levy rates, expressed in dollars per $1,000 of taxable valuation.
Why taxes lag behind values: Iowa’s assessment-to-tax process takes roughly 18 months. A January 1, 2026 assessment generally becomes the basis for taxes paid in September 2027 and March 2028.
2026 regular appeal window is closed
Story County 2026 Assessment Appeal Calendar
Assessment date
Property is assessed as of January 1.
Notice
Assessor completes assessments and gives notice when required.
Informal review
Property owner can seek an agreement with the Assessor.
Formal protest
Written Board of Review protest period.
Board review
Local Board of Review considers timely protests.
As of August 12, 2026: the normal April 30 deadline has passed. Do not file an ordinary 2026 protest as though the April window were still open.
Equalization protests are different. Iowa provides a later October process when a final Department of Revenue equalization order changes property value. Story County describes that process in connection with equalization-order years; it is not a substitute for a missed ordinary April 2026 protest.
Official Story County Appeal Information
Review Board of Review procedures, forms and informal review instructions before the next filing cycle.
Important 2026 Iowa law change
Homestead Credit Became a Homestead Exemption for Assessment Year 2026
Iowa changed the homestead program in May 2026. The old homestead tax credit was replaced, retroactive to assessment year 2026, with an exemption that reduces taxable value rather than subtracting a credit from the final tax bill.
10%
New Homestead Exemption
The exemption equals 10% of the taxable value of the homestead.
$5,500
Minimum Exemption
Assessment year 2026 has a statutory minimum exemption amount of $5,500 of taxable value.
$20,000
Maximum Exemption
Assessment year 2026 has a maximum exemption of $20,000 of taxable value.
Already had homestead before July 1, 2026? Iowa says existing qualifying claimants are automatically awarded the new 10% exemption without another filing as long as they remain eligible.
When will you see the change? The assessment-year 2026 exemption affects property taxes paid in September 2027 and March 2028.
Older Story County pages may still describe the former $4,850 homestead credit. That was the pre-SF 2472 formula. The Iowa Department of Revenue’s May 2026 guidance controls the new assessment-year 2026 structure.
Additional Homestead Exemption for Owners Age 65+
Eligible homeowners who are 65 or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year can receive an additional Iowa homestead exemption.
$6,500 Additional Exemption
Iowa’s current guidance provides an additional $6,500 reduction in taxable value for qualifying 65+ homestead claimants.
No annual refiling after approval
Once a successful claim is established, the additional age-based exemption continues in later years unless eligibility changes.
Some 2026 deadlines passed; Family Farm remains open
Military, Disabled Veteran & Family Farm Property Tax Benefits
Military Exemption
Qualifying veterans generally file with the local assessor by July 1. Once allowed on the same property, a new claim normally is not required each year.
Disabled Veteran Homestead
Iowa’s disabled-veteran homestead credit remains separate from the 2026 homestead-credit-to-exemption change.
Family Farm Credit
Story County’s filing period runs July 1 through November 1. This remains actionable as of August 12, 2026.
Family Farm eligibility: Story County describes the credit as relief for qualifying agricultural land where the owner or designated person is actively engaged in farming.
Open Story County Credits & Exemptions
Check filing requirements for agricultural, military, veteran, conservation, historic and other property-tax programs.
Next practical deadline: September 30, 2026
Story County Property Tax Search & Payment
Search the property in Beacon.
Verify the parcel and scroll to Tax History.
Open the Tax Statement / Receipt.
Story County says the desired year’s statement is linked on the right side of the Tax History section.
Copy the receipt number.
The Treasurer says you need the receipt number from the current tax statement for electronic payment.
Choose a one-time or scheduled payment.
Story County supports one-time Iowa Treasurers payments plus scheduled/recurring payment arrangements.
Save your confirmation or receipt.
Verify payment in Beacon when posting timing matters.
2026–2027 Story County Property Tax Calendar
Value basis
2025 assessments generally support the fall 2026 / spring 2027 tax cycle.
First half
First installment payment deadline.
Late interest
First installment becomes delinquent.
Second half
Second installment payment deadline in 2027.
Late interest
Second installment becomes delinquent.
Current August status: the September 30, 2026 first-half payment deadline is upcoming.
County terminology can look inconsistent: some Story County FAQs describe installments as due September 1 and March 1 with delinquency October 1 and April 1. The county’s payment pages and Iowa Department of Revenue identify September 30 and March 31 as the practical payment deadlines before delinquency.
Current Story County Online Property Tax Payment Fees
E-Check
$0.25 per online transaction.
Credit Card
2.25% of the transaction total.
Returned Payment
Story County currently lists a $30 returned-payment service charge.
Tax-sale redemption cannot be paid online. Story County also requires certified funds for certain delinquent taxes after publication and before the annual tax sale.
Use actual rollback and levy instead of guessing
Story County Property Tax Estimate Calculator
Enter the parcel’s assessed value, the applicable assessment-limitation/rollback percentage and the consolidated levy rate in dollars per $1,000. If you already know exemptions reducing taxable value, enter them too.
Estimated annual property tax
$0
Use the official assessment limitation and levy for the tax year you are estimating.
Formula: Assessed Value × Rollback = preliminary taxable value; subtract applicable exemptions; then Taxable Value × Levy ÷ 1,000 = estimated tax.
Do not hard-code a “Story County tax rate.” Levy rates vary by city/township, school district and other taxing authorities.
Beacon connects parcel records with GIS
Story County GIS, Aerial Photos & Plat Maps
GIS is not a survey. Use a recorded plat, deed and professional survey when an exact property line, easement or encroachment matters.
Recorder records establish recorded land transactions
Search Story County Deeds, Mortgages, Liens & Surveys
Deeds
Recorded property conveyances and ownership transfers.
Mortgages
Recorded real-estate financing instruments and releases.
Liens
State, federal and other recorded lien documents.
Surveys / Plats
Land surveys, section-corner certificates and subdivision plats.
Identify the parcel in Beacon.
Save owner name, parcel number and legal description.
Use Iowa Land Records for modern online searching.
Story County says land-record searches are available online 24/7 through the statewide Iowa Land Records portal.
Use RECORDhub for older index records.
Effective February 1, 2026, Story County’s Online Historical Index moved to RECORDhub. A free account is required, but access remains free.
Compare the legal description.
Do not rely on a common owner name alone when matching a deed to a parcel.
Recording a new deed? Story County requires a complete legal description. The Recorder specifically warns not to use the abbreviated legal description from a tax statement for a document being recorded.
Who Maintains the Current Property Owner Name?
The Story County Auditor maintains current property-ownership records for taxation purposes and works with the County Assessor, Ames City Assessor and Recorder to process deeds and property transfers.
Assessor
Uses ownership and physical-property information as part of assessment administration.
Auditor
Maintains current taxation ownership, transfer books and plat maps.
Recorder
Maintains the recorded land instruments that document title transactions.
Name misspelled or deceased owner still shown? Start with the deed/probate record and contact the Auditor’s Real Estate staff if the taxation ownership record needs review.
Story County Buyer & Homeowner Checklist
| Situation |
Check first |
Then verify |
| Buying a home outside Ames |
Beacon value, sales, parcel and tax history. |
Story County Assessor record + Recorder deed. |
| Buying in Ames |
Beacon parcel/tax history. |
Ames City Assessor valuation and characteristics. |
| Need current tax statement |
Beacon Tax History. |
Open Tax Statement/Receipt for correct year. |
| 2026 assessment seems high |
Property card, sales and physical characteristics. |
April protest window has passed; contact correct assessor about factual errors. |
| First-half tax due |
Current Beacon statement and receipt number. |
Pay by September 30, 2026. |
| Family farm |
Agricultural land and owner/farming status. |
File qualifying claim by November 1. |
| Need legal ownership |
Beacon owner and legal description. |
Recorded deed through Iowa Land Records. |
| Boundary dispute |
Beacon aerial / plat context. |
Recorded plat/deed and licensed survey. |
Story County Property Offices
Story County Assessor
Wayne Schwickerath
900 Sixth St.
Nevada, IA 50201
515-382-7320
Mon–Fri, 8:00–4:30
Story County Treasurer
Ted Rasmusson
900 Sixth St.
P.O. Box 498
Nevada, IA 50201
515-382-7340
Story County Auditor
Lucy Martin
900 Sixth St.
Nevada, IA 50201
515-382-7210
Mon–Fri, 8:00–4:30
Story County Recorder
Stacie Herridge
900 Sixth St.
P.O. Box 55
Nevada, IA 50201
515-382-7230
Convenient routing: the Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer and Recorder are all based at the Story County Administration Building at 900 Sixth Street in Nevada.
Story County Property Search Problems & Best Fixes
| Problem |
Best fix |
Correct route |
| Cannot find property |
Try Beacon using owner, address or parcel-based search. |
Beacon |
| Property is in Ames |
Use Ames City Assessor for value/exemption questions. |
Ames Assessor |
| Need tax statement |
Scroll to Tax History and open Tax Statement/Receipt. |
Beacon |
| Need receipt number |
Find it on the tax statement in Beacon Tax History. |
Beacon / Treasurer |
| 2026 value seems wrong |
April 30 protest deadline is closed; ask assessor about factual error options. |
Correct Assessor |
| Old homestead information online |
Use 2026 Iowa DOR guidance replacing the credit with 10% exemption. |
Iowa DOR / Assessor |
| Need Family Farm Credit |
Qualifying 2026 claims can still be filed through Nov. 1. |
Assessor / Auditor |
| Need prior tax payment |
Open the desired tax year in Beacon Tax History. |
Beacon / Treasurer |
| Owner name appears wrong |
Verify the deed and contact Auditor Real Estate staff. |
Recorder + Auditor |
| Need old deed/index |
Use Iowa Land Records or Story County’s new RECORDhub historical index. |
Recorder |
| Exact property line unclear |
Do not use Beacon alone; obtain deed/plat and survey. |
Recorder / Surveyor |
Official final-action routes
Story County Property Search & Tax Action Center
Search Beacon
Parcel, ownership, valuation, aerial, GIS and tax-history research.
County Assessor
Assessment, property records, credits and Board of Review guidance outside Ames.
Pay Property Tax
One-time, scheduled and recurring property-tax payment instructions.
Search Land Records
Iowa Land Records, deeds, mortgages, plats, surveys and historical indexes.
Exactly 10 Story County property answers
Story County Property Assessor Search & Tax Records FAQs
1. How do I search Story County property records?
Use the county-linked Beacon – Story County / City of Ames property system. Beacon provides parcel, ownership, assessment, GIS, aerial and tax-history information and is the main starting point for Story County property research.
2. Who is the Story County Assessor in 2026?
Wayne Schwickerath is the current Story County Assessor. The office is at 900 Sixth Street, Nevada, Iowa 50201. The phone number is 515-382-7320 and office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
3. Does the Story County Assessor assess property in Ames?
No. The Story County Assessor’s jurisdiction excludes the City of Ames. Property inside Ames is assessed by the Ames City Assessor, currently Shari Plagge. Beacon still provides countywide parcel and tax-record research.
4. What was the Story County 2026 property assessment appeal deadline?
The regular Board of Review protest period was April 2 through April 30, 2026. The informal review period with the Assessor was April 2 through April 25. Both regular 2026 filing periods have passed.
5. What changed with the Iowa homestead benefit in 2026?
Iowa legislation signed May 18, 2026 replaced the old homestead tax credit with a homestead tax exemption beginning retroactively with assessment year 2026. The new exemption equals 10% of taxable homestead value, subject to a $5,500 minimum and $20,000 maximum for assessment year 2026.
6. When does the new 2026 Iowa homestead exemption affect my tax bill?
The assessment-year 2026 homestead exemption affects property taxes paid in September 2027 and March 2028. Existing qualifying homestead claimants who had the benefit before July 1, 2026 do not need to refile solely because of the change.
7. When are Story County property taxes due in 2026?
The first-half payment deadline is September 30, 2026 and the second-half payment deadline is March 31, 2027. The installments become delinquent October 1 and April 1 respectively.
8. How do I find my Story County property-tax receipt number?
Search the parcel in Beacon and scroll to Tax History. Story County says the Tax Statement/Receipt link for each year appears on the right side. The current tax statement contains the receipt number needed for electronic property-tax payment.
9. Can I still apply for a Story County Family Farm Credit in 2026?
Potentially yes. Story County lists July 1 through November 1 as the Family Farm Credit filing period, so qualifying claims remain within the regular 2026 filing period as of August 12.
10. Where do I search Story County deeds?
Use the Story County Recorder and Iowa Land Records for online land-record searches. For older historical indexes, Story County moved its online index access to RECORDhub effective February 1, 2026; a free account is required and access remains free.
Official Sources & 2026 Verification
Story County Assessor
Wayne Schwickerath, office contact, Assessor jurisdiction and available assessment records.
Beacon Property Records
Official county route to Beacon GIS and property search.
Board of Review
April 2–25 informal review and April 2–30 formal protest procedures.
Assessor Functions & Dates
January 1 assessment, credits, exemptions and filing calendar.
2026 Iowa Homestead Change
New 10% exemption, $5,500 minimum, $20,000 maximum and automatic conversion for existing qualifying claimants.
Iowa Property Tax Cycle
Assessment dates, protest calendar, rollback certification and September/March payment cycle.
Property Tax Payments
Receipt-number workflow, payment methods, fees and Treasurer instructions.
Auditor Property Records
Ownership records, transfer books, tax maps, GIS and county tax-levy functions.
Recorder & Land Records
Stacie Herridge, Iowa Land Records and online document search.
Ames City Assessor
Shari Plagge, Ames assessment jurisdiction, January 1 valuation and appeal information.
Verified August 12, 2026: Story County Assessor Wayne Schwickerath, Treasurer Ted Rasmusson, Auditor Lucy Martin, Recorder Stacie Herridge, Ames City Assessor Shari Plagge, Beacon property-search routing, Ames jurisdiction exclusion, April 2026 assessment protest deadlines, September 30 / March 31 tax-payment cycle, current online payment fees, 2026 homestead-law changes and February 2026 RECORDhub historical-index change were reviewed against current Story County, City of Ames and Iowa Department of Revenue sources.
CountyPropertyAppraiser.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with Story County, the Story County Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, City of Ames, Ames City Assessor, Iowa Department of Revenue, Schneider Beacon, Iowa Treasurers, Iowa Land Records or RECORDhub.
Ownership, assessed values, rollback percentages, taxable values, levy rates, exemptions, tax bills, payment fees, appeal deadlines and public-record systems can change. Confirm time-sensitive information with the responsible government office before paying taxes, filing an appeal, claiming an exemption, purchasing property or relying on land records.
Article slug: story-county-assessor-property-search